Guide to moving

Moving is change. Whether you do it your self or have it done for you, it is the removal, relocation, and replacement of all your treasured possessions to a completely new surrounding. It is an opportunity to shed belongings and an opportunity to acquire new ones. Above all, moving is a process with many steps. Here is a checklist you can use to help prepare for this transition.
As soon as possible, if not already completed:

• Decide how you’re going to move your furniture and personal belongings, either by hiring a moving company or renting a truck and do the research. Get estimates from several moving companies or truck-rental companies and be sure to ask about availability and additional costs of materials and tools such as boxes, tapes, covers, packing material and a hand truck or appliance dolly if you’re moving yourself. 
• Start gathering the necessary moving supplies. 
• Take stock of your possessions and decide what will be moved and what could be removed. This is an opportunity to sell unwanted items online or through a yard sale. You also want to mark what the moving company will take personally to the new home. 
• Notify others of your new address: post office, charge accounts, subscriptions, relatives, and friends, national and alumni organizations, church, mail order clubs (books, videos, catalogues), firms with which you have time payments, and your past employer to make sure that you receive W-2 forms and retirement-account information. Save your old address labels to speed up filling out change-of-address forms for your new address.
• Notify federal and provincial taxing authorities or any governmental agency necessary.

Two weeks before your move:

• Notify and get refunds from your present utilities: gas, electric, water, cable, and phone. Arrange for services at your new address. Notify long-distance phone company and arrange for service at your new address. 
• Transfer your address with the US Postal Service. (Visit the USPS site for additional information on preparing for your new move and new address.)
• Begin using up what you can’t move, like cleaning supplies, food, etc.
• Back up all your computer files on a disk. Consider taking all back up files disks with you in the car. Exposure to extreme temperatures can damage your software.
• Recruit people to help you on moving day.
• Arrange for someone to take care of your pets and children during the move.
• Confirm moving company or rental-truck arrangements.
• Transfer your bank accounts. Most banks will be happy to open your account via the 
• Draw up a floor plan of where your furniture should be placed. 
• Purchase moving insurance. Your mover’s liability for lost or damaged goods will not equal their replacement cost. Have valuable items appraised.

Two days before your move:

• Keep moving materials in a separate location from where the packing is happening.
• Check on personal items that might be at the photo shop, in a safe-deposit box, at a neighbor’s house, on lay-away, or in a repair shop (e.g., shoe repair, jewelry store, small-appliance repair, or dressmaker).
• Gather all valuables, jewelry, important papers (birth certificates, deeds, documents) to take with you personally.

On moving day:

• Plan on spending the entire day with the movers. Don’t leave until they have gone.
• Record all utility meter readings (gas, electric, water, etc.)
• Make final walk through of the house, including storage areas, attic to make sure everything is empty.
• Lock all windows and doors and drop off keys with your landlord or Realtor. If you have been renting, consider taking pictures or a video of the vacant house for your records and proof of condition.

Anna Smith, Your Neighbourhood REALTOR®
RE/MAX Crest Realty 604.505.1647
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